Philippine Trail Running National Team Takes Flight to Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships
The Philippine Trail Running National Team is gearing up to represent the country at the first-ever Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships in Ulju, South Korea, taking place from October 23-27. The team is set to proudly wave the nation’s flag, with the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) recently naming the Philippines as a top contender for the team championship. Competing against hundreds of athletes from 23 countries, the Filipino team stands out for its powerhouse lineup of talented runners.
Leading the Philippine team are John Ray Onifa, with an impressive ITRA score of 869, and Elizabeth Dangadang, who holds a score of 660. They are joined by a formidable group of male athletes with scores above 750 and female athletes scoring between 500 and 600—all ready to make their presence felt on the global stage. The team’s talent and dedication continue to boost the Philippines’ reputation in trail running, a sport where the nation has consistently excelled. This comes on the heels of the Philippines’ victory at the Southeast Asian Trail Running Cup in June 2024, where the team secured the top spot, further asserting its dominance in the region.
Here’s the roster of PHI team joining the competition:
LONG TRAIL – MALE
Arnie Macaneras – Davao
Larry Apolinario – Antique
Roberto Cain – Davao
Rhys Pawid – Benguet
LONG TRAIL – FEMALE
Elizabeth Dangadang – Baguio City
Angelie Cabalo South – Cotobato
SHORT TRAIL – MALE
John Ray Onifa – Antique
Romnick Tongkaling – Davao
Godwin Mirar – Bukidnon
Randolf Gonzales – Rizal
SHORT TRAIL – FEMALE
Trisha Reyes – Muntinlupa City
Christabel Martes – Baguio City
Angelica Alejo – Antique
Noemi Fernandez – Bukidnon
ASIAN CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS (HONGKONG)
Jhaymore Pugoy – Bukidnon
The PHILTRA team is honored to have the support of Philippine Airlines (PAL) on this historic journey. Over the years, PAL has been instrumental in uplifting Filipino athletes, helping them soar not only to their destinations but also in their athletic pursuits. As the nation’s flag carrier, PAL plays a crucial role in enabling Filipino athletes to compete in local and international sports events, proudly showcasing the true talent, skill, and spirit of the Philippines.
“Philippine Airlines’ support and dedication to sports development helps turn the dreams of Filipino athletes into reality, enabling them to represent the country on the global stage and chase victories that unite and inspire the nation,” said Alvin Miranda, PAL Vice President for Marketing.
“Access to travel for competitions and training camps around the Philippines and abroad is crucial to a nationwide development program. Taking flight has become synonymous with our grassroots efforts, and we are thrilled to have PAL’s support for this competition. They have always been our carrier of choice,” said Tin Ferrera, PHILTRA’s Secretary General and Vice President.
PHILTRA’s grassroots program has been pivotal in discovering and developing talent across the Philippines, providing opportunities even to athletes from remote areas. Through this program, athletes like 19-year-old Romnick Tongkaling have emerged. Despite his limited racing experience, Tongkaling won a silver medal at the SEA Trail Running Cup and earned an impressive 815+ ITRA points. His journey exemplifies the potential PHILTRA is nurturing through its development efforts. These programs, alongside exposure to both local and international competitions, will be vital to the athletes’ growth.
“Most of our athletes competing in the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships will be racing overseas for the first or second time. We’ve seen how this kind of exposure helps them evolve into better athletes by facing equally tough competitors. It will be a challenging race, with many more experienced trail runners in the lineup from countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Korea, and even our neighboring Southeast Asian nations. But Filipinos are known for their resilience and fighting spirit. Our athletes have been training in Baguio City, with the support of the Philippine Sports Commission’s world-class facilities and the backing of a strong trail running community. We are well-prepared and ready for the competition,” says Atty. James Roldan, PHILTRA President.
We are also proudly supported by ATPI, the world’s leading travel and event solutions. With an in-depth knowledge of the sports industry,they ensure seamless travel for sports teams and athletes, offering 24/7 support to solve unexpected issues.
SALOMON PHILIPPINES is also supporting PHILTRA as the official trail running shoes. Salomon’s commitment to performance, innovation, and the spirit of adventure aligns perfectly with PHILTRA’s mission to elevate Filipino athletes on the global stage.
Philtra also has the support of Race Ya!, a digital platform for sports and for its apparel and uniform: T8, Point Sports and Tribu Pakaras.
THE FUTURE
As trail running continues to gain momentum, the Philippines is looking ahead to even greater
opportunities. The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) is actively working toward the inclusion of trail running in the Brisbane Olympics in 2032. PHILTRA is committed to preparing its athletes for this historic opportunity. The road to an Olympic gold medal in trail running has officially begun for the Philippines, and with its strong foundation and roadmap, the country is well on its way to achieving this dream.
ABOUT PHILTRA
The Philippine Trail Running Association (PHILTRA) is affiliated with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association (PATAFA), a member of the World Athletics Federation and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission. It is a member of the International Trail Running Association and SEA Trail Running Confederation.
